W3 - Installation art: but what is it?

There are lots of definitions.

A good start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Installation_art including definitions, hostorical content and listing links to contemporary artists and art spaces.

This definition from the Californian State Board of Education , seems somewhat limited: 'The hanging of ordinary objects on museum walls or the combining of found objects to create something completely new. Later, installation art was extended to include art as a concept. '

From arttowngifts.com (ie a US art shop) comes this version: "Art works of various media, such as painting, sculpture, and projected images that fill a certain space and are used to create an idea or story for the viewer.'

From a more useful glossary (Notebook: The Development of a Context for Understanding Visual Art References and Resources.): 'A rather loose term for works that appeared in the 1970s in which artists assembled elements of various materials in specific gallery or museum situations, intending to establish an environment rather than an isolated, single work of art. ' (http://www.noteaccess.com/APPROACHES/AshtonG.htm)

From the TATE Modern: 'Term used to describe mixed-media art works which occupy an entire room or gallery space and into which usually the spectator can enter...'

Eye On Art (http://www.eyeconart.net/history/postmodern.htm): 'An installation presents a visualization of 3-dimensionallity, in real time and space. It can include 2-dimensional mediums (painting, drawing, photography, etc), but a 3-dimensional element is also necessary for the interaction of the viewer into the installation space. Video and electronic media are used frequently. Installation art is often conceptual in nature. That is, the emphasis is more on ideas than on the creation of unique objects. For this reason, installation art frequently incorporates an assembly of "ready made" (manufactured) objects instead of focusing on the craftsmanship of the artist.' and goes on to give a diverse range of examples.

There are plenty more definitions, but the common elements seem to be: 3-dimensions, manipulation of space, use of space to affect viewer, conveying an idea, ordinary objects either presented as is, carefully reworked or individually crafted.